Retiring Outside the U.S. No Longer a Foreign Concept

Retiring Outside the U.S. No Longer a Foreign Concept

The Internet has provided some much-needed connectivity to family, friends and access to important things like bank accounts and retirement accounts.

And, while saving money has always been important to retirees, the recession and subsequent hit to retirement accounts, plus rising taxes and health-care costs, have made it a necessity for many. So when retirees get priced out of warm-weather cities in the U.S., cheaper alternatives in other countries become more attractive.

“You can live better for less in a tropical paradise,” said Dan Prescher, the special projects editor for International Living magazine. “It sounds like a dream but you can actually never shovel snow again and live off of half of what you’re living on in the U.S. — or less!”

International Living has seen a huge jump in attendance for their annual seminar on retiring outside the U.S., where they bring in experts to answer questions on everything from financial planning and real estate to foreign currencies, expat taxes and legal issues. A few years ago, they used to get about 150 to 175 people. That more than doubled to 400 last year and this year, they’re looking for a venue that can hold 500.

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That’s an important concern for many retirees — the quality of medical care. But, you might be surprised to learn that medical care is often more affordable and just as good — if not better — in other countries as it is in the U.S. In many of these countries, doctors even make house calls, something Americans pay a premium for in the U.S.

The only downside is that Medicare doesn’t cover you outside the U.S. Some retirees have gotten around that by flying back to the U.S. on Medicare runs.

Worried about crime rates in an unfamiliar land? Do your homework and you'll see there are plenty of safe cities in other countries.

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Link to CNBC article: http://bit.ly/g9KPFB

We just returned from visiting our daughter down there a couple of weeks ago, and it was fabulous. I was really surprised at how much I liked it there, the climate being so different from what I'm used to. I don't speak much Spanish, but the people were very friendly and helpful, and we communicated remarkably well, even with hand signs and so on.

It isn't really cheap, though. We found that food prices were pretty comparable to here, except for the fresh produce which was cheaper, and some things such as peanut butter were astronomical, at least where my daughter lives near Cobano. $7 for a small jar. Yikes.

Still, I can see how people might want to retire there. It is beautiful.











http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Travel/Costa-Rica-January-2011/15666871_df5RB#1174256978_ranwT

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, friendly English speaking people and cost of living about 1/4 of US. I was Peace Corps volunteer there many years ago and I am now married to a filipina. I am ready to go now but I need to wait a few years until SS kicks in.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-US-Medicare-Coverage-in-the-Philippines-Possible?&id=4163267

Alternatively, Guam, a US territory is not far away, relatively speaking.. about 3 1/2 hours.

and or procedures but whatever it is, it's likely to increase.

Thanks for posting.

Americans who go to Mexico for medical treatment, not counting the ones who live there. The consensus was they were getting better care and on top of that, the number of people who said their Mexican doctors were telling them they were on too many meds that they did not need. Some were able to cut their meds in half or more and are actually feeling better that before and doing great.

What does that tell you to those people we hear about our medical system being the greatest in the world.

about Mexico..thanks for sharing.